Concrete block construction.



W. C. PARMLEY.

CONCRETE BLOCK CONSTRUCTION.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 18. 1918.

1,293,898. Patented Feb. 11, 1919.

02$ WZZWO W 81 .7

WALTER C. PARMLEY, .OIE UPPER MONTGLAIR, NEW JERSEY.

CONCRETE BLOCK CONSTRUCTION.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 11 1919.

Application filed. March 18, 1918. Serial No. 223,018.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WALTER C. PARMLEY, a citizen of the United States,residing at Upper Montclair, in the county of Essex and State of NewJersey, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in ConcreteBlock Construction, of which the following is a full, clear, and exactdescription.

This invention relates to structures composed of blocks, preferablyconcrete blocks, and the structure may assume a tubular arch or tunnelform, or it may be useful in other forms of construction. The object ofthe invention is to provide a block construction such that pressure mayreadily be applied to certain portions of the block without injury tothe remaining portions thereof.

The subject matter of this application is substantially a division ofcertain matter contained in applicants co-pending application Serial No.33,681, filed June 12, 1915.

Reference should be had to the accompanying drawings forming a part ofthis specification, in which Figure 1 shows inv perspective a tubularconstruction embodying applicants invention; Fig. 2 is an elevation of aportion of a structure embodying one form of applicants invention; Fig.3 is an elevation with portions in section showing in detail a modifiedform of applicants construction; Fig. 4 is an elevation with portions indetail of a construction embodying theinvention; Fig. 5 is a perspectiveview [showing a detail of construction; and Fig. 6

is a perspective view showing a detail of construction.

The invention as. herein described embodies a tubular concreteconstruction in which the blocks are laid in successive transverse rows,the blocks ineach row abutting against the forward edgeofthe row againstwhich it is laid. Perhaps the most general use for a structure of thekind herein set forth will be found as a lining for tunnels, althoughthe invention is not limited to this particular use. V

In the excavation of tunnels it is very common to use a tunnelingmachine which works within a shield at the forward or dead end of thetunnel, or by hand excavation to remove the earth under the protectionof a shield. As the earth is removed the shield is intermittently movedforward by means of power appliances, such as hydraulic jacks, whichpush the shield forward, and in this operation the face of the last rowof blocks is made to serve as I an abutment against which the ends ofthe jacks are placed.

The pressure to which the blocks are thus.

subjected is at times enormous, and under such condit ons it 1s afrequent occurrence for blocks to fracture under the pressure applied.This fracturing of blocks is very frequently, perhaps it might be saidgenerally, due to the condition that blocks in each transverserow orring do not bear equally and flatly against the blocks in the adjacentring or row of blocks. In theory there should be complete contactbetween the adj acent rows of blocks, but in practice this is difficultto attain,and it usually happens for various reasons that the blocks donot match up and engage each other flatly, but that they engage eachother irregularly at one or more points, and frequently blocks more orless overhang the edges of an adjacent row of blocks.

In the invention disclosed in this application it is my purpose toprovide a form of construction which will remedy or prevent the failureof the blocks under the conditions which have been discussed, and in car'rying out this idea I have provided a construction in which the contactportions'of each block withan adjacent block in the two rows contiguousto it are at one or two points only, and the points of contact are soarranged with relation to the block that the [pressure applied may betransmitted through these points and elements f contact, to the backrows of blocks, and so transmitted through a line, or, more correctlyspeaking, through an area which is in contact with the succeeding row ofblocks, thus relieving the main portion of the block from all or a greatportion of the stressesdue to the applied pressure. 7

' In Fig. 1 there is indicated a plurality of transverse rows of blockswhich are arra'nged as shown to form in this instance a tubularstructure suitable for a tunnel lining.

. Preferably the blocks in each row are staggered with respect to itstwo contiguous rows, although this is not absolutely essential. i j l ve V The blocks in each row may be constructed in a manner such as shownin Fig. 2, in f which the block 2 is provided with portions which'ineffect form a banded core extending through the block. 7

The block 2 at the time of molding has inserted therein one or more, inthe present instance two, spiral membersB. These members are suitablyheld in' proper position within the mold. for the block, andthe con.crete of which the block is made is molded so as to embed these members3 in the block. It will be obvious that the concrete material fills allthe interstices between the: convol u tions of the members 3 and withinthe cen tral part of the member 3, so that in the finished block. theremay be said to be a core of concrete Within the member 8 which is handedby the member 3. This produces a core within the member 3 which is ofmuch greater strength per unit of area than the concrete material of theblock itself.

These blocks thus prepared may be arranged in a structure such as shownin Fig. 1, so that the core portions of the blocks in succeeding rows ofthe tunnel structure are in alinement, and when the jacks or otherpressure is applied, the pressure will becarried through the successiverowso-f blocks by the banded or core portions of the blocks in-astraight line, orsubstantially straight line back through the successiverows of blocks. I

In Fig. 3 there is a modified construction embodying the same idea asthat described with respect to Fig. 2.. I

In Fig. 3 the block 4: has inserted therein at the time of molding atubular member 5 which may be a section of pipe or similar section. Thispipe at the. time of molding is filled with cementitious material eitherof the same general mix as that composing the block 4, or if desired, acement of richer mixture may be used with equal facility.

The manner of use of the block shown in Fig. 3 in a finished structureis the same as that described with respect to Fig. 2.

In both. of the structures as shown in Figs. 2 and 3-, preferably thecementitiousmaterial forming what I have termeda core may be made toextend beyondv the side surfaces of the block for a short distance,so-as toafi'ord a-bearing point for a similar core when the blocks areassembled in. the structure, such asv shown in Fig. 1. These projectingportions may be upon one or both sides of the block as may be desired.

InFig. 4 the core is. made to assume a slightly difi'rentform. The block6 when molded is left with one or more openings, such-as indicated at 7,these extending ,entirely through the block, and. are; adapted for thereceptionofa separately made core. As shownin 4, the, core isof'cylindrical shape, although it may be of any desired cross. sectionalshape, and after the core .is madeand the block is made and hardened,

. the two may be brought together in themannerjsuggested in the drawing.Or, the cores may be set in the mold when, the blockis cast and thusform a part oifthe block or a part separated therefrom by a, layerofpapeme'tc.

As shown in Fig. 5 the core is made up of a number of sections,indicated at 8, which are assembled'upon arod 9 which serves as areinforcing member. I

The core sections '8 may be made of the same mixture as that of whichthe block 6 is made, or it may be made of a richer mixture. The core 7may be held within the opening 14 in' any desired manner, and as one wayof accomplishing this I may use pitch, paper orany other; substancewhich will cause the core to remain within the opening 14:. I r I InFig. 6 I have shown a core 1O of continuous structure with alongitudinal member 11 embodied within the same, and exing within ablock, and held therein by the use of pitch or paper as previouslysuggested. I V I With respect to the constructlons shown in Figs. 4:,5,'and 6,it may be said that the core may be made of the exact length ofthe b1ock,.,.orit may be made slightly longerthan the width of theblock, so that the core may extend. a slightdistance beyond one or bothof the faces of the block, as may be desired. y

The construction of the block and vcore as just described has-anadvantage in that the core under pressure may move with respect to theblock, and thus would prevent injury to the block in case of exceedinglyhigh pressure. r I

If desired, the exposed orextending ends of the cores which have beeni-llustratedin the various figures of the drawings'may be madeof acementitious mixture, which" is of less strength thanthat composing'thecore within the block, so that there may be a adjustment of thispressure when the pressure exceeds a certam amount.

. Having described} my invention, I claim 1. In a structure of thecharacter described, a pluralityof contiguous rows of blocks, each ofsaid blocks having one or more core portionsv extending therethroughwhich core portions in adjacent rows of blocks are in alinement, eachcore portion comprisinga reinforcing element, and concre'te intimatelyassociated withthe reinforcing element. L i

2 I In astructure ofthe character described, a plurality of contiguousrows ofblockseach of said blocks having one or more core por- I tions.extendingv 'therethrough which .core portlons in adjaoentrows. of blocksare in al'inement, each core ortion comprising a metal reinforcingelement with. which. concretei intimately,- associated. I 3. In astructure of; the character described,

